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Four Standard Utility Allowances (SUA) are available. (f17)

The SUA 1 is the heating/cooling allowance. The SUA 1 requires that: • the AG has a recurring primary heating or cooling expense or • that the AG receives an Energy Assistance Payment (EAP) through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or other similar energy assistance benefits. o The household must receive a payment greater than $20 annually from one of these sources in the current month or in the immediately preceding 12 months to automatically qualify for the SUA1.

It is not necessary that the AG have both a heating and a cooling expense. If the AG has only a heating or only a cooling expense obligation and the need for that particular expense has ended solely because the seasonal need for that expense is ended the AG continues to be entitled to the heating/cooling SUA. Also, an AG that has a room air conditioner is entitled to the Heating/Cooling SUA.

Persons in private rental housing who are billed by their landlords based on individual usage or who are charged a flat rate separately from their rent are eligible for the heating or cooling standard (SUA 1).

Persons in public housing units which have central utility meters and which charge households only for excess heating or cooling costs are entitled to the heating/cooling standard (SUA 1).

The heating/cooling SUA 1 includes gas, electricity, water, sewer, trash collection expenses and the telephone standard.

The SUA 2 is the non-heating/cooling allowance. The SUA 2 includes: • electricity and fuel for purposes other than heating or cooling, • water, • sewage, well and septic tank installation and maintenance, • telephone and • garbage or trash collection.

In order to qualify for the SUA 2, the AG must be billed for at least two of the expenses included in the SUA 2.

A third option, the Single SUA may be used if the AG has a utility expense other than heating/cooling or telephone. For example, AGs that pay for trash removal only would receive the Single SUA.

The fourth SUA option is the Telephone Standard. It is allowed for AGs that incur only a telephone expense but do not have a heating or cooling expense. (The telephone is included in the SUA 1 and SUA 2.)

There is never a prorating of utility expenses. If an SSN ineligible, ineligible alien, or disqualified member pays part or all of the utility cost for the AG, the entire applicable standard is allowed in